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Kelly's decision to depart Ibrox for Livingston followed McGregor's return two months prior and the accompanying realisation that a path to the number one jersey was becoming no clearer.

On a weekend where the veteran contemplates his final days as a 37-year-old and Foderingham couldn't hold in his entirely respectful exasperation with that longevity, it's difficult to argue that Kelly made the wrong call.

His reputation blossomed rapidly at Livingston, so much so former Rangers manager Mark Warburton moved quickly to entice him down to England a year later.

(Image: Queens Park Rangers FC)

The now Queens Park Rangers keeper was instrumental in his side upsetting Championship title-chasing Leeds United, turning away a Patrick Bamford penalty to preserve a 1-0 victory.

But for injuries, there's a feeling his position as number one at Loftus Road would have been established by now.

Kelly began the season on the bench before muscling his way into the team in early October, only to suffer a torn thigh muscle.

Nine games on the sidelines followed, as did three sitting on the bench, before Saturday's heroics.

If, by chance, Kelly picked up a paper on Sunday morning he may have happened upon Foderingham's rather frank admission, words that could so easily have been his had he not cut ties with his boyhood club.

“It has been very frustrating for me," said McGregor's current Ibrox understudy, after being handed a rare opportunity in the Scottish Cup. "It’s difficult because Greegsy’s been playing so well. He hasn’t given me a chance to get back in there.

(Image: Rangers FC/Press Association Ima)

“When I’m picked, I do my best and I work hard in training. That’s all I can really do. But he’s been very consistent.

“Even against Stranraer, if I kept a clean sheet, scored a hat-trick and saved a few penalties, I still wouldn’t get a game next week.

“I’ve accepted that I could be playing elsewhere next season because my deal is up in the summer."

Foderingham will almost certainly move on come the end of the season, despite Steven Gerrard 's desire for him to remain as back-up.

But as McGregor edges closer and closer to his fifth decade on the planet, a search for his successor surely can't be too far off.

There may well be a part of Kelly that wishes he was waiting in the wings to step in.

Twelve years in the academy, a boyhood fan, open admissions he'd love to return one day. He's only human, after all.

(Image: PA)

But the simple fact is leaving remains the right call. Had Kelly stayed put, he'd be 24 with perhaps little more than a handful of loan moves under his belt.

His talent was never in question at Ibrox, quite the opposite, but the circumstances just didn't fit at the time.

And, speaking exclusively to Record Sport in July, Kelly knew it.

He said: "Every player who has come through Rangers' youth system has the dream to play for the first team. Obviously if that ever happened to me then I would be absolutely delighted.

"But it was never going to happen for me a year ago. I had to leave and show that I could play at the highest level possible.

"I got that chance with Livingston in the Scottish Premiership now I'm trying to do it in England. I'm just delighted to be at QPR and very grateful for the opportunity.